The 17th edition of the Cricket Asia Cup (Asia Cup 2025) begins today. The first match will be played between Afghanistan and Hong Kong at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Sports News: The grand commencement of Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled for today, with Afghanistan and Hong Kong facing each other in the opening encounter. This match will take place at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi and will commence at 8 PM Indian time. This contest between the two teams will not only be thrilling but will also be an attempt to repeat history, as Hong Kong has previously caused major upsets by defeating Afghanistan twice in T20 matches. Let's find out which team is ber, which players to watch out for, and what the pitch report suggests.
Afghanistan vs. Hong Kong: Who is better?
Afghanistan secured a direct berth in Asia Cup 2025 due to their b position in the ICC T20 rankings. Their squad boasts several stars who have played in major T20 leagues worldwide. On the other hand, Hong Kong qualified by securing a top 2 position with an outstanding performance in last year's ACC Premier Cup. They achieved a significant upset by defeating teams like Nepal.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches: 5
- Afghanistan Wins: 3
- Hong Kong Wins: 2
This statistic indicates that the match will not be easy. While Afghanistan is a big name, Hong Kong's team cannot be underestimated. A tough competition is expected between both teams.
All eyes will be on these three players
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): The team's captain and one of the world's best leg-spinners, Rashid Khan, is the team's biggest asset. He has taken 170 wickets in 100 T20 International matches to date. Even top batsmen have been troubled by his variations and controlled bowling. His performance will be decisive in Afghanistan's victory. He can change the course of a match single-handedly.
- Karim Janat (Afghanistan): Karim Janat is an excellent all-rounder who has played 72 T20 International matches so far. His record at the Abu Dhabi ground has been outstanding, where he has scored 282 runs in 9 innings at a strike rate of 154.09. He could prove to be the backbone of Afghanistan's batting in this tournament.
- Yasir Murtaza (Hong Kong): Hong Kong captain Yasir Murtaza is a player with vast experience. His experience from 63 T20 International matches will be a support for the team. He has scored 746 runs in 52 innings and taken 70 wickets. If Hong Kong is to cause a major upset, his exceptional performance will be crucial.
This stadium in Abu Dhabi is considered favorable for batsmen. A total of 68 T20 International matches have been played here. Out of these, the team bowling first has won 39 times, while the team batting first has been victorious 29 times.
Where will the live broadcast be?
- Sony Sports 1
- Sony Sports 3 (Hindi)
- Sony Sports 4
- Sony Sports 5
Squads of both teams
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Farid Malik, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Hong Kong: Yasir Murtaza (Captain), Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Niazakat Khan Mohammad, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Kahlon Mark Challu, Ayush Shukla, Mohammad Ejaz Khan, Atiq-ul-Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Ali Hasan, Shahid Wasif, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Waheed, and Ehsan Khan.
